Current News

ESSEX JCT, VT - The team from Baker Distributing bested over 130 exhibitors to take "Exhibitor of the Year" honors at the annual convention and expo for the Vermont Food Industry, which was sponsored by the Vermont Grocers' Association. The award is based on overall attractiveness, creativity and presentation of the exhibit booth as judged by the retail and restaurant attendees of the show. Baker's highlighted their product line and tied in a couple of new Harley Custom Bikes in their expanded presentation. Baker Distributing, with facilities in Colchester and Rutland, VT, is a full service beverage wholesaler to stores throughout the state. The exposition attracted over 1,200 members of Vermont's food industry and is the largest show of its kind in the state.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont President Milnes to Retire
Berlin, VT - William R. Milnes, Jr, president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT), has announced he will retire later this year after 10 years with the Plan and nearly 34 years with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield system.
Mr. Milnes, 62, will step down on November 30. Don George, vice president of managed health systems for BCBSVT and senior vice president and chief operating officer of the company's HMO affiliate, The Vermont Health Plan (TVHP), has been named to fill the role of interim chief executive officer of the plan.
"Under Bill's leadership Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont has grown, strengthened and improved in all areas," said Guy Boyer, chairman of the BCBSVT Board of Directors. "He will leave a strong company with a culture of constant improvement and a unique commitment to its members, customers and to the state of Vermont."

BURLINGTON, VT - Bruce Macmillan and the Cambridge Village Market, were honored by the Vermont Grocers' Association with the VGA "Retailer of the Year" award during the association's annual convention at the Sheraton Burlington. The award was presented in recognition of their involvement with the community, food industry, store operations and customer service. The Cambridge Village Market dates back to the 1850's and for the first half of the 20th century served the area with community lockers, where customers could store refrigerated items before they had their own refrigerators and freezers. Bruce and his family (Susan and son Alex) purchased the market in 1992. Under Bruce's ownership the market has doubled in size and grown from 6 employees to 26 today. They strive to support local farms by selling local produce whenever possible.

Council Honors Employers for Wellness Programs

Burlington -- 48 Vermont work sites will receive awards October 7 from the Vermont Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The awards honor employers that support staff access to physical fitness activities and promote good health on and off the job. The council and Governor Jim Douglas will present the awards in a ceremony at a Work Site Wellness Conference at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington.
The following work places will receive honors:
1-25 Employees
Otter Creek Conservation District - RECOGNITION

Employees recorded the number of steps they walked each day for a "Walk Around Hawaii," and they try to make healthy food choices.
Rutland Housing Authority - BRONZE

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Vermont 100 Percent Broadband Exchanges in 2010
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2008-09-30T21:07:00Z
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Verizon
9
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1370
10.2625
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FAIRPOINT TO PROVIDE 100 PERCENT BROADBAND COVERAGE IN 51 VERMONT LOCALITIES
FERRISBURGH, Vt. (September 30, 2008) - More Vermonters will be able to quickly e-mail photos, download music and surf the Internet because FairPoint Communications today announced it will provide 100 percent broadband coverage to its customers in half of its Vermont telephone exchanges by December 31, 2010.
FairPoint acquired 99 telephone exchanges (in several cases exchanges cover multiple towns and prefixes) in its March 31, 2008 acquisition of Verizon's wireline business in Vermont. The locations of the 51 exchanges with full coverage are divided among all 14 Vermont counties.

BURLINGTON, VT - The Vermont Grocers' Association has re-elected Bill MacDonald of the Waits River General Store as Chairman. Mr. MacDonald operates a family owned market in Topsham, VT along with his wife, Donna. Also re-elected were Darcy Nutter of Price Chopper Supermarkets as Vice Chairman and Dwight LaFountain of Jiffy Mart Stores as Secretary-Treasurer. Bill is the Moderator for both the town of Topsham and the Unified School District-#36 and is a trustee of the local volunteer fire department. He served as the business manager for the Valley Health Center as it transformed from an independent health care provider into part of the Little Rivers FQHC.

Vermont Hosts National 25 x '25 Conference

Panel discussion to focus on renewable energy efforts
SHELBURNE- Governor Jim Douglas, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie and national representatives of the 25 x '25 Alliance will host a panel discussion of renewable energy efforts in Vermont and New England on Tuesday, September 30, from 2 to 5:30 p.m., at the Shelburne Farms Coach Barn.

Burton Snowboards Brings The Stash to Killington Resort in Vermont
Burlington, VT (September 29, 2008) - Burton Snowboards and Killington Resort has announced plans to build The Stash, a revolutionary resort run created by Jake Burton and Burton team riders that utilizes the natural terrain, local wood products and organic features to create the ultimate freestyle riding experience. The first run of its kind in New England and Burton's home state of Vermont, The Stash at Killington is slated to open to the public on December 19, 2008.
"Bringing the Stash to Vermont has been an objective from the start," says Jake Burton, Founder and Chairman of Burton Snowboards. "Vermont riders are all about tree riding and jibs. This will take it to the next level, giving local riders a chance to have that much more fun on the mountain."

Lake Champlain Land Trust Earns National Recognition

Gretchen Maginnis was named assistant manager of the Barre branch of KeyBank and Gretchen M. Havreluk was named relationship associate, retail banking, for the bank's Brattleboro branch.

Maginnis is responsible for maximizing the branch's productivity, maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction and managing the employees within the branch. Prior to joining Key, she was a certified trust and financial advisor for TD Banknorth.

Havreluk has more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry. She is responsible for providing sales solutions for deposit and loan products, customer service and ensuring compliance with operational, security and audit procedures. She is also a part of the Vermont District Key4Women team.

Vermont Receives Over $2 Million to Support At-Risk Veterans
Waterbury, VT-The Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) Department of Mental Health (DMH) has announced the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded Vermont a five year, $2.1 million grant to create an infrastructure project to serve veterans of all conflicts with trauma-spectrum illnesses, who are at risk or have already become involved with the criminal justice system.
"Vermont's veterans, who have so selflessly protected the liberties we all enjoy, deserve the most caring, compassionate services we can provide to them when they are in need," said Governor Jim Douglas. "Vermont has a proud tradition of providing these supports to our state's veterans, and we are truly pleased that the federal government has recognized the quality of these services through their support of this new initiative."